Playbuilder scheme gives Dogford Park a new lease of life!

Playbuilder scheme gives Dogford Park a new lease of life! - With a brief to provide exciting and challenging play and exercise facilities for a particularly discerning age group - 8 to 13 year olds - Wicksteed Playscapes has transformed Oldham's Dogford Park into something very special.

All the existing stone walls were removed and different levels were carefully created by Wicksteed to produce a naturally landscaped place which is now so much more challenging for older children so they can really stretch their physical capabilities.

A circular hard-standing area was designed so that visitors to the park have a special arena for dance and performance - a great feature that not many play areas are lucky enough to have.  Lots of natural seating has been positioned around the performance area and along the main footpaths.

Dogford Park is blessed with a central mound and part of the brief was for Wicksteed to make a special feature of this towering form, so a large enclosed slide was designed and sliced through the centre of the mound.  A challenging wooden trail was installed on the bank and a stone-faced Rockscape with netting attached was also placed on the hillside, further encouraging kids to clamber all the way to the top.

Varying textures have been used on the site; there's a natural trail with balance beams dotted around the mound and a circular maze using rustic, natural materials has been specially created.  A carved totem pole and extra planting provide the finishing touches to this adventure land in Oldham.

Richard Vink, Principal Greenspace Development Officer, Parks & Countryside Service for Oldham Council, is delighted with the final look of the play area and says: "The Playbuilder scheme in Dogford Park has given the children and young people from across the community a much improved site providing imaginative, challenging and exciting play."